Top 10 London Bowling Alleys

At All Star Lanes in East London you'll find colourful bowling lanes; a 20ft copper bar serving American spirits, beers and cocktails; and an authentic American diner. While you're waiting for your lane, you can have a go in the Country and Western karaoke booths, where cocktails are just the push of a button away.

Head to All Star Lanes in Bayswater for hearty food (think steaks and chilli), cocktails inspired by 1920s America and one of the largest selections of American whiskies in London. As well as the public bowling alleys, there's a retro Americana-style private bowling room.

All Star Lanes in Bloomsbury was London's first boutique bowling alley. The luxuriously decorated site features six lanes, two of which are private with their own bar attached. An American diner, an attractive cocktail bar, welcoming staff and weekend DJ nights complete the setting.

Make a day of it at Westfield Stratford City and combine shopping with a trip to All Star Lanes. Aim for a strike on one of the 14 bowling lanes, then head to the restaurant to sample tasty dishes cooked with free-range meat, sustainable fish and fresh ingredients, washed down with American lagers and ales or a thick milkshake.

Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is a retro-style bowling alley, boasting the only vintage above-lane ball return outside America and a bar made of wood from the legendary Lucky's Lanes in Los Angeles. The lanes and diner can be hired out for private parties and, if you get bored with gutter balls, there's karaoke too.

Venture out West and you will find this land of leisure with an underground 12-lane bowling alley complete with state-of-the-art scoring system. Not just for bowlers, Queens Ice and Bowl also has an ice rink, karaoke rooms, amusement games and – for the less energetic – a cafe/ice-cream parlour and bar.

Set in the magnificent County Hall near the London Eye, Namco Station has three floors of fun, including 12 "techno bowling" lanes, an American-style pool hall, bumper cars and 150 of the latest video games. You can get a bite to eat in the N Bar or have a go in the Namoke private karaoke rooms.

Roll on down to North London's biggest bowling alley, Rowans Tenpin Bowl, which has a whopping 24 lanes and 19 pool tables. The late-night bar hosts DJs, live bands and special student nights. Throw in amusement arcades and giant sports screens, and you have the perfect entertainment venue.

Hollywood Bowl has two London centres – in Surrey Quays and Finchley. As well as bowling lanes, they offer a games area with classic arcade machines and the latest video games. Visit the café and bar for burgers, hotdogs, kids' meals and beer or, if you can't tear yourself away from the bowling, order food and drink to your lane.

Located on the top floor of the Elephant and Castle shopping centre, London Palace Superbowl is a good option for South London bowlers. There's a bar serving food and drinks, and the venue runs special student sessions, themed nights, kids' birthday parties and corporate events.